The Thinker: A CMA Blog

Today marks National Beer Day in the United States, a celebration of the prohibition-ending Cullen-Harrison Act, signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on March 22, 1933. That law went into effect 16 days later on April 7, making alcohol legal to purchase again in the United States for the first time in more than 12 years. In the spirit of "spirits," here is are six beer vessels from the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art!

Vincent van Gogh, one of the most well-known artists in the world, was born on this day in 1853. Easily described as a tortured genius, Van Gogh was consumed with an undefined illness and possessed an unparalleled talent. Despite - or because of - his complex existence, Van Gogh produced masterpieces that, more than a century later, still evoke a breathtaking wonder. As a tribute to Van Gogh and the beauty he gave us, we’re asking readers to submit a birthday wish via the comments below, on Facebook, through a RT on Twitter, or via Instagram comment. To be automatically entered to win a Van Gogh inspired gift from the Museum Store, tag a friend in your birthday wish!

Since Monday, the Cleveland Museum of Art has been celebrating #MuseumWeek on Twitter with more than 2,000 other arts and culture institutions around the world. Last year, the CMA was one of the first American museums to participate in #MuseumWeek, and we're excited to be part of the global discussion online again! In the spirit of today's theme, "favorites," we share with you 10 favorite objects from 10 staff members here at the museum. Hear their stories in the video clips, and share your favorite works of art from the museum's collection with us on Twitter: Tag @ClevelandArt and #favMW, or leave a comment on the blog!

Since Monday, the Cleveland Museum of Art has been celebrating #MuseumWeek on Twitter with more than 2,000 other arts and culture institutions around the world. Today's theme is "family," and we're sharing with you the top 15 ways to play at the Cleveland Museum of Art in 2015! Check out the list, download a printable version to hang on your refrigerators at home, and share all the ways you #PlayatCMA!

This week at the Cleveland Museum of Art, join us for a lecture on Chinese ceramics, enjoy live performances by Mivos Quartet and Cleveland School of the Arts, see a Cleveland International Film Festival screening at the museum, and more!

The Mivos Quartet talked with us about their start, creative process, and what they hope to share with audiences at their Cleveland show on Saturday, March 28 as part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Performing Arts Series.